Child dies in Andrews mobile home fire

By Scott HarperFor the Times

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A 12-year-old child was killed when the mobile home he was in caught fire at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Dave S. Coombs was in the mobile home alone when the fire began, according to Georgetown County Deputy Coroner Chase Ridgeway.

The mobile home is located at 10 James Drive off of Miller Road near Jones Ave. in Andrews.

Flames were already engulfing the mobile home when emergency workers from Andrews Fire and Georgetown County Fire arrived on the scene.

Coombs was found inside the mobile home. Ridgeway said the child's mother, Marissa, arrived on the scene after the fire started.

The Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division are investigating what may have caused the fire and why Coombs was alone.

In a statement released late Saturday morning, Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carrie Cuthbertson said investigators were told by Coombs family they recently moved out of the mobile home on James Drive and into a new home.

Investigators were told Coombs attended a birthday party Friday night and did not answer calls from his mother.

“In the process of the investigation, it was determined (Coombs) returned to the house instead of their new home without the family's knowledge,” Cuthbertson said.

Ridgeway said an autopsy will be conducted at the Medical University of South Carolina Sunday to determine the exact cause of death.

Coombs is being remembered by friends and family.

Billie Camlin said Coombs was a friend of her son, Cody. She said she met him during football season two years ago.

“He was absolutely one of the sweetest little fellas that I was privileged enough to be able to come in contact with,” she said. “He was the smallest on the team in weight and height but was the largest as far as heart and dedication.”

She said he had a smile “that went on for days and never complained. He loved football, or any sport really.”

She summed up her description by saying “was one of the mightiest little men that could conquer the world with his perseverance and love for life.”

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